Dispersion of Particulate Matter from Palm Oil Refinery Mill

Abstract

The appearance of industrial emissions and the degradation of scenic vistas are two
characteristics of air pollution that humans object. Reduction in visibility suggests
worsening pollution levels. Visibility is characterized by either its visual range, or by
opacity. The emissions from mobile source and stationary source are the major source of
air pollutions contribution in Malaysia. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and
nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are the predominant pollutants from these two sources exhaust
smokes. Increasing the amounts of combustion product, gases carbon dioxide (CO2) in
the atmosphere also create an effect of blanket layer to increase retention of particulate
matter and vapour near the earth before releasing to the space. The consequence of
increasing the concentration, the particulate matter dissolves with vapour and grows into
droplets when the humidity exceeds approximately 70%. The saturated particulate matter acts as nuclei to scatter sun rays that will impair visibility and causing opaque
situation know as haze.
The study of dispersion particulate matter from palm oil mill serves as a purpose of
modeling the transport of particulate matter for obtaining permits and prevention of
significant deterioration (PSD) to the environment. Gaussian Plume Model from a point
source, subject to various atmospheric conditions is used to calculate particulate matter
concentration then display the distribution of plume dispersion using geographic
information system (GIS). Mixing height is determined to forecast potential haze
occurrence. Dispersion of particulate matter from palm oil mill is following Gaussian
Model and its concentration is normally distributed. The calculated particulate matter
concentration is evaluated using Transilient Matrix function. Atmospheric Stability,
mixing height, wind direction, wind speed, natural and artificial features play an
important role in dispersion process. High concentration area exhibits immediately
under prevailing wind direction.